Summary
The levels of Pb-214 (Ra-B) and Pb-212 (Th-B) in surface air at two coastal stations (Bombay and Thumba) and at a third high-altitude station (Gulmarg) in India are presented. A seasonal variation in activity at the coastal stations with winter maximum and summer minimum and the absence of a similar variation at the high-altitude station at Gulmarg is discussed. From a study of the relevant meteorological data, it is concluded that at the coastal stations, the major factor influencing the activity levels is likely to be the stability of the lower atmosphere, advective effects possibly playing a secondary role. At Gulmarg, however, factors affecting emanation from the soil, like rainfall, snowfall, etc., could be significant.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
J. A. S. Adams andW. M. Lowder,The Natural Radiation Environment (Rice University Semicentennial Publication 1964).
H. Israel, M. Horbert andG. W. Israel,Results of radon and its decay products in the lower atmosphere, Tellus18 (1966), 638–642.
H. Israel andM. Horbert,Tracing atmospheric eddy mass transfer by means of natural radioactivity. J. Geophys. Res.75 (1970), 2291–2297.
W. M. Cox, R. L. Blanchard andB. Kahn,Relation of Radon Concentration in the Atmosphere to Total Moisture Detention in Soil and Atmospheric Thermal Stability, Advances in Chemistry Series 93 (American Chemical Society Publications, Washington, D.C. 1970).
C. R. Hosler,Urban-rural Climatology of atmospheric radon concentration, J. Geophys Res.73 (1968), 1155–1166.
S. G. Malakhov, U. N. Bakulin, G. V. Dmitrieva, L. V. Kirichenko, T. I. Ssissigina andB. G. Starikov,Diurnal variations of radon and thoron decay product concentrations in the surface layer of the atmosphere and their washout by precipitation, Tellus18 (1966), 643–654.
C. Rangarajan, Ph.D. Dissertation, Bombay University (1970).
L. B. Lockhart, Jr., R. L. Patterson, Jr., andW. L. Anderson, Characteristics of Air Filter Media Used for Monitoring Airborne Radioactivity, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Report NRL-6054 (1964).
C. Rangarajan andS. Gopalakrishnan,The estimation of the relative concentrations of short-lived radon daughters by gamma measurements, Health Physics24 (1973), 433–436.
C. Rangarajan, V. R. Chandrasekaran, S. Gopalakrishnan andC. D. Eapen,Determination of radon daughters' disequilibrium in air by gamma spectrometry, Nuclear I. & M.117 (1974), 570–578.
L. B. Lockhart, Jr., andR. L., Patterson, Jr., The Extent of Radioactive Equilibrium between Radon and its Short-lived Daughter Products in the Atmosphere, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Report NRL-6374 (1966).
P. K. Zutshi, Greater Bombay-Its Geographic Location, Meteorological Characteristics and the Magnitude and Distribution of the Major Sources of Air Pollution, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Report BARC-461 (1970).
R. K. Kapoor, unpublished data.
M. V. Sivaramakrishnan, R. Y. Mokashi, andN. V. Parameswaren, Temperature Inversions and Stable Layers Near Ground Over India, India Meteorological Department Scientific Report No. 155 (1971).
A. K. Roy, Air Masses of India, Technical Note No. 16, India Meteorological Department (1940).
C. Rangarajan, S. Gopalakrishnan andC. D. Eapen, Radon Daughters in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean Region During Monex-1973, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Report BARC-732 (1974).
L. U. Joshi, C. Rangarajan andS. Gopalakrishnan,Investigations on Pb 210 concentrations in various regions of India, Health Physics20 (1971), 665–668.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rangarajan, C., Gopalakrishnan, S.S. & Eapen, C.D. The diurnal and seasonal changes in short-lived radon-thoron daughters' concentrations in the coastal and inland regions of India and their possible relation to regional climatology. PAGEOPH 112, 941–953 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00881498
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00881498